Remuda Ranch Reports Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Can Take Spiritual Values and...

Remuda Ranch Reports Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Can Take Spiritual Values
and Practices to Unhealthy Levels

Patients Who Suffer From Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Related
"Scrupulosity" Successfully Treated at Remuda Ranch's Anxiety Program

PHOENIX, March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Millions of Americans suffer from Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and some of those people suffer from an often
misunderstood form of OCD called scrupulosity -- an excessive concern with sin
that goes well beyond the norm for an individual's religious group.

"As research and understanding of OCD increased, the term scrupulosity was
applied to a subgroup of individuals who suffer from OCD," said David Wall,
Ph.D., director of psychological services at Remuda Ranch
(http://www.remudaranch.com). "These individuals have intrusive obsessions
about sin and/or blasphemy that is to a certain degree, a symptom of their
OCD."

With OCD related scrupulosity there is evidence that differentiates fervent
religious practices from scrupulosity. This evidence includes:
-- The individual's religious group sees the person as overly
scrupulous
-- The religious practice is based in fear, anxiety and constant doubt
that
are never resolved for more than a short time
-- There is a driven feeling to the religious practices without any
specific goal other than to cope with obsessive doubts and fears
-- The spiritual practices are filled with self-imposed rigid rules that
must be practiced perfectly
-- There is often evidence of other types of OCD either in the past or
concurrently. For example, contamination, hoarding, checking

"OCD scrupulosity can be seen as healthy beliefs and activities taken to an
unhealthy extreme," adds Dr. Wall. "The OCD limits the person's ability to
live a balanced, enjoyable life."

Remuda Ranch (http://www.remudaranch.com/general/anxiety/index.php)believes
practicing one's faith is healthy. However, when OCD takes healthy spiritual
values and practices to an unhealthy level, the individual's life becomes
filled with constant doubt, torment and endless rituals that never lead to
emotional and spiritual well-being.

Because Remuda Ranch is a Christian faith-based treatment center, it can be
especially effective in assessing and treating individuals who have OCD
manifesting in scrupulosity and fears of blasphemy. It is easier if the
patient sees the provider as someone who shares his or her core beliefs and
values.

Remuda Ranch uses a faith-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and
Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP) approach. Clinicians openly talk with
the individual about issues of faith and wherever possible, discuss faith
issues with the family. Remuda seeks to understand what the patient's
particular church or faith group believes, especially as it relates to the
patient's scrupulosity and fears of blasphemy.

"Scrupulosity is particularly painful for individuals who suffer from it,
because it strikes at core religious beliefs," said Dr. Wall. "These
individuals are filled with shame, they isolate themselves and may even
contemplate suicide. However, there is a lot of hope. Understanding OCD
related scrupulosity and providing the right treatment gives these individuals
what the Bible tells us we all need - to be set free."

About Remuda Ranch Programs for Eating and Anxiety Disorders
Remuda Ranch offers Christian inpatient and residential programs for
individuals of all faiths suffering from eating or anxiety disorders. Each
patient is treated by a multi-disciplinary team including a Psychiatric and a
Primary Care Provider, Registered Dietitian, Masters Level therapist,
Psychologist and Registered Nurse. The professional staff equips each patient
with the right tools to live a healthy, productive life. For more
information, call 1-800-445-1900 or visit www.remudaranch.com.

SOURCE Remuda Ranch Programs for Eating and Anxiety Disorders

Mary Anne Morrow of Blossom Communications Inc., +1-602-332-9026,
PRMaryAnne@earthlink.net, for Remuda Ranch Programs for Eating and Anxiety
Disorders